Psychometric properties of an Italian version of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale‐11 (BIS‐11) in nonclinical subjects

Abstract

To assess the psychometric properties of the Italian translation of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), the scale was administered to 763 college undergraduates. Based on analyses using item-total correlations and t-tests for differences between the top and the bottom total score quartiles, all items from the English version of the BIS-11 were retained in the Italian version. Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency was.79 and two-month test-retest reliability was.89. An exploratory principal-components analysis replicated the six first-order factors and three oblique second-order factors, consistent with the number identified in the English version. However, subfactor item loadings differed between the English and Italian versions. The overall item pool was consistent in being a homogeneous measure of impulsiveness. The BIS-11 total score was correlated significantly with aggression and ADHD measures. The BIS-11 also significantly differentiated between high and low levels of binge eating, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking.

Psychometric properties of a Norwegian adaption of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale‐11 in a sample of Parkinson patients, headache patients, and controls

“…The second time all were told that they should answer the questions anew and not try to remember what they had answered the last time. Previous studies have used varying test‐recall test times of 2 to 6 months (Fossati, Di Ceglie, Acquarini, & Barratt, 2001; Gülec et al., 2008; Hartmann et al., 2011; Someya et al., 2001). Though our test–retest correlations were high, they were generally at a similar level as these studies except for some of the factors in the three‐factor models from some studies, which had a reduced test–retest correlation, the lowest ( r  = .30 and r  = .37 for nonplanning and motor impulsivity, respectively), as expected, being for the study with the longest test–retest interval (Hartmann et al., 2011).…”

“…Rather, the factor termed “attentional impulsiveness” was suggested (Patton et al., 1995). This three‐factor model has since, to a large extent been followed in several validation articles of different language versions of the BIS‐11 (Spanish: [Cosi et al., 2008]; Portuguese: [von Diemen et al., 2007]; Turkish: [Gülec et al., 2008]; Chinese: (Li & Chen, 2007; Lu, Jia, Xu, Dai, & Qin, 2012]; Italian: [Fossati et al., 2001]). However, it is noticeable that the factor structure differs considerably between the different BIS‐11 versions.…”

“…ICDs have also been studied (binge eating: [Akkermann et al, 2010], substance dependence: [Gülec et al., 2008], prison inmates: [Patton et al., 1995], elderly with ICDs: [Tamam et al., 2014]). Various language versions have also been well validated in control subjects (Fossati et al., 2001; Gülec et al., 2008; Hartmann et al., 2011; Li & Chen, 2007; Patton et al., 1995; Reise et al., 2013; Someya et al., 2001; Steinberg et al., 2013). …”

Review of the psychometric characteristics of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) through its history: From the beginning until now

“…Estas discrepancias entre la versión italiana y la original fueron atribuidas más a aspectos culturales que a las diferencias entre las muestras, ya que ambas poseían similares niveles académicos y la distribución de sexos era similar. La consistencia interna total fue de α = .79 (Fossati, Di Ceglie, Acquarini & Barratt, 2001). También en la versión turca, utilizando un análisis con rotación Promax en una muestra de 237 estudiantes universitarios y 83 pacientes psiquiátricos, encontraron tres factores, pero los ítems cargaron en factores distintos al original.…”

“…Posteriormente, el análisis confirmatorio así lo mostró (RMSEA = .093, SRMR = .10, AGFI = .68). Luego de haber eliminado algunos ítems poco significativos, probó una estructura de dos factores que arrojó mejores indicadores (RMSEA = .058, SRMR = .078) en la que no se incluía el factor impulsividad atencional (Loyola, 2011); la ausencia de este factor ha sido referenciada por otros autores (Fossati et al, 2001), Yang, Yao y Zhu (2007) y Haden y Shiva (2008). El primer factor fue designado como impulsividad motora-atencional, compuesto en su mayoría por ítems de las escalas impulsividad motora e impulsividad atencional.…”